“NEW YORK” New York: Charles W. Morse and Samuel N. Gaston, 1857. Original wax-engraved map, with original hand color from The Diamond Atlas. (Image: 5 3/4 x 6 1/4”)
This map depicts New York with the counties named and in contrasting colors. Topographical features are shown, and major cities, towns, canals and railroads (existing and proposed) are located. It is very detailed for its miniature size (60 miles per inch). The inset depicts the “VICINITY of NEW YORK”.
The wax-engraving method was developed by Sidney E. Morse (brother of Samuel F. B. Morse - inventor of the telegraph). Wax engraving was “a major techno-logical breakthrough that greatly influenced American commercial map and atlas production in the U.S.” (Schwartz: Mapping of America, p. 265). This map is an early example of the process.
This map is presented in an archival mat (11 x 12").
